For those who have been following this story,
I challenged Adam Kokesh to a formal debate regarding the nature of his presidential platform.
He has agreed now to do the debate.
I asked Adam the following three questions in this post’s comment thread yesterday to make sure we actually disagree, before proceeding with the debate:
In your view, is becoming President via the American Electoral Process a legitimate (as per voluntaryist property ethic) means by which to assume control and authority (even if temporary) over lands and resources?
Would the non-profit organizations which will be taking ownership of national parks and keeping them “open to the public” (as per your platform) also allow the parks to be homesteaded and turned into private property either in part or in full? If so, how could said properties be considered “open to the public”? If not, how could a plan which prohibits homesteading be considered “voluntaryist”?
Presidential executive orders are placed under limitations by congress and the 2nd amendment of the US constitution. As such, a dissolution of the fed gov not being an option provided by these “authorities,” how will you make a “special case,” executive order/edict outside the bounds of current law/governmental protocol?
Kokesh’s answers:
THESE RESPONSES CONFIRM THAT WE FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE.
PROPOSED DEBATE RESOLUTION:
Assuming authority and control of lands and resources via the American governmental electoral process, in order to end the federal government, is a legitimate and pragmatic means—in view of voluntaryist property ethic—by which to bring about a free and voluntary society.
I would be arguing for the negative. Kokesh for the positive.
We need a neutral moderator.
I have some very professional folks in mind and will be contacting them, but if there is anyone else interested in moderating a formal debate, please let me know in the comments.
The debate will take place online, via some platform like Google Hangouts, etc.
A format for the debate, including but not necessarily limited to: opening statements, opening statement rebuttals, question and answer, audience submitted questions, and closing statements will be set up as soon as all three parties (Kokesh, Smith, and Moderator) agree on the details.
If this is something you’re interested in seeing please upvote and resteem!
Stay tuned for the opportunity to submit questions for both debaters to answer live during the debate.
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as DTube and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)